U.S. patent number 5,707,199 [Application Number 08/256,432] was granted by the patent office on 1998-01-13 for apparatus for storing objects in a storage block.
Invention is credited to Alexander Jun Faller.
United States Patent |
5,707,199 |
Faller |
January 13, 1998 |
Apparatus for storing objects in a storage block
Abstract
A device is disclosed for storing objects in a storage block
having identical storage places arranged behind, next to or above
each other in the X, Y and Z directions and at least one lifting
member associated to the storage block. Each storage place is
equipped with a driving unit for moving the objects in the Y
direction. Further driving units are provided for moving the
objects in the X direction between the entrance area and the
transfer side of the storage block. All successive rows in the X
direction have at least one free storage place and one plane of the
storage block is designed as a storage and return plane for empty
pallets.
Inventors: |
Faller; Alexander Jun (D-84061
Ergoldsbach, DE) |
Family
ID: |
25920401 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/256,432 |
Filed: |
September 15, 1994 |
PCT
Filed: |
November 10, 1993 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP93/03147 |
371
Date: |
September 15, 1994 |
102(e)
Date: |
September 15, 1994 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO94/11599 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
May 26, 1994 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 12, 1992 [DE] |
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42 38 239.4 |
Feb 27, 1993 [DE] |
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43 06 241.5 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/239; 414/286;
414/21; 414/255; 414/236; 414/261; 414/282; 414/243 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H
6/24 (20130101); B65G 1/0478 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65G
1/04 (20060101); E04H 6/24 (20060101); B65G
001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;364/478
;414/227,231,233,234,139.6,235,236,237,238,264,271,239,240,140.3,140.2,241,242 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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267409 |
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Dec 1968 |
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AT |
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12733 |
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Jun 1980 |
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EP |
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2207841 |
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Jun 1974 |
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FR |
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2645992 |
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Oct 1990 |
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FR |
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2673923 |
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Sep 1992 |
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FR |
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1293440 |
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Apr 1969 |
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DE |
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1559158 |
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Sep 1969 |
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DE |
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3121581 |
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Dec 1982 |
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DE |
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3304932 |
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Oct 1984 |
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DE |
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38072 |
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Apr 1978 |
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JP |
|
300473 |
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Dec 1990 |
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JP |
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96577 |
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Apr 1991 |
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JP |
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8202984 |
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Feb 1984 |
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NL |
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89/12152 |
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Dec 1989 |
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WO |
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93/09316 |
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May 1993 |
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WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Werner; Frank E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cohen, Pontani, Lieberman &
Pavane
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for storing objects on pallets in a storage block,
having identical storage places arranged behind, next to and above
one another in X, Y and Z directions, and at least one elevating
means for raising and lowering the objects in the storage block in
the Z direction to different levels, each storage place being
equipped with a driving unit for displacing the objects in the Y
direction and driving units being provided for displacing the
objects in the X direction between an entrance area and an
outward-transfer side of the storage block, wherein each respective
row of storage spaces in the X direction includes at least one free
storage place (12) so that the free storage places are staggered in
the X direction and one level of the storage block (10) is
configured as a storage and return level for empty pallets.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lowermost level
of the storage block (10) serves as a storage and return level.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the storage
spaces is configured as a separate structural unit so that the
storage block has a modular configuration.
4. The apparatus is claimed in claim 3, wherein each individual
storage place includes a basic element (24) with a bottom frame
(26) and vertical columns and also a displacing module (32) mounted
on the bottom frame for displacing an object.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the displacing
module (32) is fitted into the bottom frame (26).
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each storage place
(12) has a bearer plate (36) arranged to rest on the displacing
module (32) so as to be displacable by the displacing module.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the displacing
module (32) includes at least one driving units (34) for displacing
the bearer plates (36) in the X direction or in the Y direction,
the driving unit (34) being in engagement by a gear wheel (38) with
a toothed rack (40) on an underside of the bearer plate (36).
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elevating means
includes shaft elements (42) vertically connected in a modular
manner.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elevating means
(20) has an upper end at which one of the driving units is
provided, and a lower end at which a deflecting device (60) is
arranged, conveying chains (52) being mounted between the driving
unit and the deflecting device.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the driving
units (34) for displacing the objects (14) in the X direction is
mounted on the deflecting device.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, and further comprising a
preparation station (22) arranged directly adjacent the elevating
means and including a lifting platform (64).
12. The apparatus as claim in claim 1, wherein the storage places
(12) have a bottom frame (126) which can be displaced in the Y
direction by means of running rollers in guide rails (112).
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein each bottom frame
(14) is connected via at least one drive spindle (170) to the
driving unit (134') for displacing in the Y direction, which unit
is fixedly installed in the storage block (10).
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving units
(134) for displacing the objects (14) in the X direction have a
bearing frame (116) which can be moved by means of running rollers
(112) in the X direction in running rails (110) and bears on its
underside at least two vertically adjustable cross members (124)
with gripping elements (132) for seizing the objects (14) from
above.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least some of
the running rollers (112) are drivable.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bearing frame
(116) bears in the region of its short outer sides two cross
members (124) and in the central region at least two further cross
members (124).
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gripping
elements (132) are locking bolts (136) which can be turned through
90.degree. and are intended for engagement in receiving openings of
the objects (14) designed as containers.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein each locking bolt
is assigned a securing pin (146) which can be moved in height and,
when sitting on an upper side of the object (14), releases a
turning movement of the locking bolt (136) into its engaging
position.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the bearing frame
(116) is equipped with a weighing device, which can be connected to
a central control.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the elevating
member (120) has a frame (152) which can be moved vertically in a
shaft (142), has two mutually parallel running rails (110) and is
intended for receiving a bearing frame (116).
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a movable
fire-extinguishing container is accommodated in the storage block
(10).
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising at
least one conveyor means (92, 96), externally connected to the
storage block (10) for transporting the objects (14).
23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the conveyor
means (92, 96) are arranged at different heights.
24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein a turning
platform (104) for the objects (14) is integrated in the at least
one conveyor means (92).
25. The apparatus as claim in claim 22, wherein at least conveyor
means (92, 96) is connected to at least one of a buffer level (88)
and a buffer track (94) for the objects (14).
26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a
track member arranged adjacent the elevating means on at least one
outer side (18) of the storage block (10) so that the objects (14)
can be held thereon and moved in the Y-direction.
27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage block
(10) has a lowermost level configured as a passage for trucks.
28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a registering
device for detecting data of delivered objects (14) is arranged in
the entrance area (E), the detected data being stored in a computer
and processed for relocating and surrendering the object (14).
Description
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for storing objects in a
storage block, having identical storage places arranged behind--or
next to--or above one another in the X, Y and Z directions, and at
least one elevating member, assigned to the storage block, each
storage place being equipped with a driving unit for displacing the
objects in the Y direction and driving units being provided for
displacing the objects in the X direction between the entrance area
and the outward-transfer side of the storage block.
Such storage systems are known, for example, as high-bay
warehouses, in which storage places arranged next to and above one
another are provided on both sides of an aisle, which has the
advantage that each individual position permits direct access.
However, only as many positions as there are aisles can be served
simultaneously.
Also known are sliding rack systems, which have only a very small
space requirement since only a single aisle is required for access,
while the other rack units are compressed to form an inaccessible
block. This has the disadvantage, however, that very great masses
have to be moved, resulting in a very long access time.
Dynamic rack systems have in comparison a very high loading and
removal frequency, since access is possible over the entire end
face. However, only similar articles can be stored in the
individual rack compartments. Direct access to particular positions
is not possible, because storage takes place on the principle of
"first in--first out" or "last in--last out".
The subject of German Offenlegungsschrift 3,212,822 is a parking
apparatus for motor vehicles which are parked on pallets and
accommodated in storage places. The storage places are arranged in
only one vertical slice, in which they are combined next to one
another and above one another in the Y and Z directions to form a
block. In front of this block there is located a laterally
displaceable elevating member, with the aid of which the vehicle
required in each case on the pallet is removed or can be put in
place.
An apparatus of the generic type described at the beginning is
known from German Patent 3,823,728. This is a multistory car park
having at least two levels. In the case of this parking system, the
storage places are arranged next to one another in the Y direction
and behind one another in the X direction without intermediate
spaces, thereby forming rows following successively in the X
direction (reference to there as lines z) and lines lying next to
one another in the Y direction (referred to there as rows r). In
order to ensure the function of the parking system, at least one
maneuvering place must be kept free in each line. When filling the
multistory car park, the vehicles are driven in in such a way that
a concentration in the direction of the drive-out row takes place,
so that when the multistory car park is full the last row is free
from vehicles. This free row is consequently to permit maneuvering
movements when vehicles which are not in the forwardmost row are to
be retrieved.
The known multistory car park operates substantially on the first
in--first out principle. If--as explained--preferably the last of
the rows lying transversely with respect to the main
driving-through direction is kept free, this principle results in
frequent maneuvering movements, in particular if there are
significantly more lines than rows.
German Patent 3,823,728 does not provide any information on what
happens with the empty pallets. From the description of the system
it can be concluded that, once they become free, they are put back
again at the empty storage places. In addition to this, an
elevating member (lifting mechanism) is provided in every line,
both in the entrance area and on the outward-transfer side.
Furthermore, every storage place must be equipped with a plurality
of lifting devices in the form of hydraulic cylinders, in order
alternatively to raise into the working position the driving units
for displacing the objects in the Y direction or the driving units
for displacing the objects in the X direction.
The invention is based on the object of specifying a storage system
which combines the advantages of the types of design explained at
the beginning, without at the same time having to accept their
disadvantages. In other words, the aim is to provide a storage
system which allows a compact design and requires little space and
also permits quick and direct access to the individual storage
places with a minimum of maneuvering movements, without the
remaining storage places being blocked during putting into place or
removal.
In the case of the apparatus of the type outlined at the beginning,
this object is achieved according to the invention by each of the
rows following one another in the X direction having at least one
free storage place and one level of the storage block being
designed as a storage and return level for empty pallets.
Due to the fact that, in contrast to the prior art, the free
storage places do not in each case lie in one line running in the
passing-through direction, but that each row running transversely
thereto has a free storage place which remains free for evasive and
re-maneuvering operations, the absolutely necessary maneuvering
movements are limited to a minimum; re-maneuvering of the vehicles
remaining in each row relative to one another is dispensed with
completely. Furthermore, the invention has the advantage that it is
not absolutely necessary to provide a lifting mechanism in every
line of the storage block; rather, it would suffice to equip for
example only every second line with an elevating member.
A major advantage over the prior art is achieved furthermore by the
fact that the empty pallets can be stored on the intermediate level
of the storage block provided for them, without placing them in a
place which has become free, and can be returned from the said
intermediate level back into the system. On the intermediate level,
the returned pallets can be cleaned without adversely affecting
operation, for example after a certain number of uses or depending
on the degree of soiling.
Last but not least, the invention has the further advantage that,
thanks to the stipulation of providing a free storage place in
every row, storage blocks which do not have a rectangular base
outline, but for example a triangular base outline, can also be
realized. In the case of a multistory car park according to German
Patent 3,823,728, such a base outline would necessarily require
that all free storage places be provided on the widest row.
The invention is suitable for various application purposes, in
particular as a rack system, container store or multistory car
park.
With the invention it is possible to arrange the storage places
next to or behind one another without intermediate spaces and, in a
further development, to arrange the elevating members on at least
one outer side of the storage block. In addition, it is of course
possible also to provide the elevating members inside the storage
block if this is required in an individual case.
According to a preferred feature of the invention, the storage
block is put together in a modular design from the storage places.
This permits very rapid assembly in a way corresponding to the
existing space available and the respective requirements, so that
for example at trade fairs, public festivals or other large events
a mobile multistory car park can be set up within the shortest
time.
Assembly and stock-keeping are further simplified by the fact that
each individual storage place is put together in a modular design
from a basic element with a bottom frame and vertical column and
also a displacing module. The displacing module in this case
contains both the driving unit for the X direction and the driving
unit for the Y direction and is generally fitted into the bottom
frame.
In this case it is advantageous if each storage place has a bearer
plate, which rests on the displacing module and can be displaced by
the latter. This design is suitable in particular for use of the
storage system as a multistory car park, so that the vehicles put
in place stand on the bearer plates. The bearer plates may in this
case be designed in such a way that they accept dripping water, it
being possible then for a washing device to be provided in the
lowermost region of the storage block.
It is particularly favorable if the displacing module has at least
one driving unit for displacing the bearer plate in the X direction
or in the Y direction, the driving unit being in engagement by a
gear wheel with a toothed rack on the underside of the bearer
plate. In this way, the lifting devices required in the prior art
are superfluous, because the tooth engagements of the driving units
not required are disengaged automatically by the respectively
activated driving units.
Whenever the storage system serves for receiving containers, the
driving units for displacing in the X direction are accommodated in
the bottom frame of each individual storage place, while the
driving units for the Y direction can act from above on the
respective container.
In this case the procedure can be adopted that each storage place
for receiving a container has a bottom frame which can be displaced
in the Y direction by means of running rollers in guide rails. The
bottom frame may be connected via drive spindles to the driving
unit, for example an electric motor, which is fixedly installed in
the storage block and brings about the displacement in the Y
direction by one storage place in each case.
The driving units for displacing the containers in the X direction
may be designed as so-called spreaders with a bearing frame, which
can be moved by means of drivable running rollers in running rails
and bears on its underside at least two vertically adjustable cross
members with gripping elements (twist locks) for seizing the
objects from above. Each level of the storage block has in each
line such a spreader, which grips the desired container from above,
raises it a little and moves it in the X direction between the
entrance area and the outward-transfer side.
In this case it is favorable if the rectangular bearing frame bears
in the region of its short outer side two cross members and in the
central region two further cross members. In this way, the spreader
can pick up either one long container or two short containers. For
picking up containers of intermediate dimensions or oversized
dimensions, further cross members may be provided.
The gripping elements are preferably designed as locking bolts
which can be turned through 90.degree. and are intended for
engagement in receiving openings of the containers. The containers
have for this purpose correspondingly designed corners (corner
castings), which permit the establishing of a bayonet connection
with the locking bolts.
Each locking bolt may be assigned a securing pin which can be moved
in height and, when sitting on the upper side of the container or
the like, for example on the corner castings, releases the turning
movement of the locking bolt into its engaging position.
Consequently, the faultless latching in of the twist locks and a
raising of the container is ensured only after satisfactory
locking.
In a further development of the invention, the elevating member has
a frame which can be moved vertically in a shaft, serves as a
lifting unit and has two mutually parallel running rails, into
which or out of which the bearing frame of a spreader can run. The
spreaders of the elevating members may in this way have the same
design and the same dimensions as the spreaders which can be moved
in the storage block (system spreaders).
The lifting unit can be moved in the elevator shaft by means of
chain drives, spindles or hydraulic devices.
The bearing frames (system spreaders) may be equipped with a
hydraulic-electronic weighing device, which can be connected to a
central control. The container weights determined are passed on to
a computer of the central control, where for example weight
optimization can be performed during the loading of a ship.
According to a further feature of the invention, it is envisaged to
accommodate in the storage block a movable fire-extinguishing
container. This provides a mobile extinguishing unit which permits
direct, semiautomatic fire fighting within the storage block. The
extinguishing unit may be designed as a water or halon
extinguishing system and allows the fighting of a fire inside a
container with the aid of an extinguishing lance penetrating the
latter.
In the case of the storage system according to the invention, the
elevating members may also be put together in the vertical
direction from shaft elements in a modular design. In this case it
is favorable if each elevating member has at its upper end a
driving unit for conveying chains and at its lower end a deflecting
unit for these conveying chains.
In general it will be advantageous to assign to the elevating
member a preparation place with lifting platform, in particular
whenever the elevating members are provided on both end faces of
the storage block. In this case it is appropriate to utilize the
lowermost level of the storage block for the pallet return, in
order for example in the case of a multistory car park to convey
the no longer required pallets back from the drive-out side to the
drive-in area. It is additionally possible to use the lowermost
level as a pallet store.
It goes without saying that there is also the possibility of not
constructing the individual stations in a modular system, but for
example erecting them in welded or screwed constructions.
The invention is explained below with reference to exemplary
embodiments which are represented in the drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 shows the diagrammatic view of a storage block of an
apparatus according to the invention,
FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic plan view of the uppermost level of the
storage block of FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 shows the diagrammatic view of a multistory car park
constructed on the principle according to the invention, with the
drive-in on one end face and the drive-out on the other end
face,
FIG. 4 shows a variant of FIG. 3, in which access takes place from
the longitudinal sides,
FIG. 5 shows a further variant of FIG. 3, in which drive-in and
drive-out take place on any intermediate level,
FIG. 6 shows the perspective representation of a partial region of
the variant shown in FIG. 3 in modular design,
FIG. 7 shows an exploded representation of part of the modular
elements used in FIG. 6,
FIG. 8 shows an enlarged representation of a basic element with
built-in displaying module,
FIG. 9 shows an enlarged representation of part of a shaft element
with conveying chains for an elevating member,
FIG. 10 shows the view of a displacing module,
FIG. 11 shows a bearer plate lying above the displacing module,
FIG. 12 shows the enlarged view of a lowermost shaft element of the
elevating member,
FIG. 13 shows the perspective representation of a driving unit for
an elevating member,
FIG. 14 shows a deflecting unit of an elevating member,
FIG. 15 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 6 of the
operating sequence in a multistory car park according to FIG.
5,
FIG. 16 shows a variant of FIG. 15 with pallet buffer,
FIG. 17 shows the multistory car park of FIG. 3 in another mode of
operation,
FIG. 18 shows a variant of FIG. 17,
FIG. 19 shows a variant of FIG. 5 with alternatingly arranged
elevating members,
FIG. 20 shows a further variant of the invention in the form of a
container store,
FIG. 21 shows an enlarged view of the entrance area of the
container store,
FIG. 22 shows the view of a driving unit (spreader) for displacing
containers in the X direction,
FIG. 23 shows the view of a lifting unit in an elevating
member,
FIG. 24 shows the partial view of a cross member of a spreader in
the unlocked position of the gripping element,
FIG. 25 shows the partial view of the cross member in the locking
position of the gripping element (twist lock),
FIG. 26 shows the perspective representation of a lifting unit with
spreader, a system spreader and a storage place with bottom frame
for displacing the containers in the Y direction,
FIG. 27 shows the view of the bottom frame of FIG. 26,
FIG. 28 shows the plan view of a plurality of bottom frames with
their driving units,
FIG. 29 shows the view of a plurality of spreaders, arranged above
one another, with containers suspended thereupon,
FIG. 30 shows the view of a nodal point in the container, and
FIG. 31 shows a container store in a port.
In FIG. 1 there is diagrammatically represented a storage block 10,
which has for storing objects in a compact arrangement, for example
containers, motor vehicles or receptacles, storage places 12 which
are arranged behind or next to or above one another in the X, Y and
Z directions without intermediate spaces. FIG. 2 shows the
diagrammatic plan view of the storage block 10 of FIG. 1, it being
assumed that the storage places 12 indicated by a cross are free,
while all the other storage places are occupied. It was already
pointed out at the beginning that it is advantageous not to occupy
one storage place 12 in each row (X direction), in order to
facilitate the storage and removal of objects 14.
If in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2 the object denoted by 14 is to
be removed, which takes place in the X direction, i.e. from the
rearmost row through to the forwardmost row, in each row there must
only take place at most one displacement, in such a way that an
aisle 16 is formed in the direction of the arrow drawn. In the
exemplary embodiment the occupied storage places are displaced by
the units listed below in the Y direction toward the unoccupied
storage place (indicated by a circle):
row 2 one unit to the right
row 3 three units to the left
row 4 two units to the right
row 5 three units to the right
row 6 no displacement
row 7 two units to the left
row 8 five units to the left
row 9 one unit to the right.
These displacements in the Y direction can take place
simultaneously, so that the cycle time until the object 14 located
in the rearmost row can be pushed in the direction of the arrow
through the now free aisle 16 for removal is very short. On the
left end face 18 in FIG. 2 there then awaits an elevating member,
which in FIG. 1 is indicated by the arrow 20. Here, the desired
object 14 can be lowered downward and removed from the storage
block 10.
As soon as the object 14 has been displaced by two rows, a further
object can be removed from the row 1, since the objects which are
in the way of the said object can be displaced onto the aisle 16
which has become free.
The storing of an object, for example a motor vehicle in a
multistory car park, takes place in the reverse sequence, i.e. here
too the occupied storage places are cleared in such a way that
there can be formed an aisle 16, within which the object arrives at
a free storage place.
In FIG. 3 there is represented a possible application in the form
of a multistory car park, it being evident that the storage block
is assigned on the left end face 18 as many elevating members 20
for driving in as the storage block 10 has lines (Y direction). In
a corresponding way, the opposite end face 18' has in front of it
elevating members 20' which serve for removal.
As FIG. 3 further shows, in front of the elevating members 20 of
the entry side and behind the elevating members 20' of the exit
side there is in each case a preparation place 22 and 22',
respectively. This will be discussed in more detail in the
following description of FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 shows in a cutout form one line of the multistory car park
indicated in FIG. 3 of modular design. The individual elements can
be seen in FIG. 7 in an exploded representation.
The central storage block 10 is made up, as already specified, of
storage places 12, which are arranged next to one another or behind
one another and also above one another without intermediate spaces.
Each individual storage place 12 comprises a basic element, which
in FIG. 7 is denoted by 24. This basic element 24 has a rectangular
bottom frame 26, which comprises two short rails 28 and two long
rails 28' and from the corners of which four vertical columns 30
protrude upward. As shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and 11, within the basic
frame 26 there may be installed a displacing module 32 (FIG. 10),
which has on its narrow sides two mutually opposite driving units
34, for example electric motors, which serve for the longitudinal
displacement of a bearer plate 36 resting on them, which has on its
underside corresponding engaging elements 40, for example toothed
racks, interacting with gear wheels 38 of the driving units 34. At
right angles to this displacing direction in the X direction, the
bearer plate 36 may also be displaced in its transverse direction,
i.e. in the Y direction, for which purpose the displacing module 32
has a driving unit 34' on each of its mutually opposite
longitudinal sides. Of these driving units 34' as well there are
gear wheels 38' in engagement with corresponding engaging elements
40', for example toothed racks, which are fitted on the underside
of the bearer plate 36.
FIG. 8 shows a basic element 24', which is already equipped with
the displacing module 32 and the bearer plate 36.
For reasons of a better overview, in FIG. 6 only the basic elements
24 for the individual storage places 12 are shown, while the
displacing modules 32 and the bearer plates 36 are omitted. The
front end face, in FIG. 6, of the storage block 10 has in front of
it elevating members 20, of which in FIG. 6 only one is drawn in,
since the remaining lines (Y direction) have been omitted or only
indicated. A similarly designed elevating member 20' adjoins in the
passing-through direction onto the rear end face of the bearing
block 10.
Each elevating member 20 is made up in the vertical direction in a
modular design from identical shaft elements 42, which in FIG. 7
can be seen in an exploded representation. Each shaft element 42
has a rectangular frame 44, from each of the four corners of which
a column 46 protrudes upward. The length of the columns 46
corresponds to the length of the column 30 of the basic elements
28. The inside dimensions of the frame 44 are large enough that a
bearer plate 36 can pass through upward and downward. From the
longitudinal bearers 48' of the frame 44 there protrude upward--in
the exemplary embodiment four in each case--cross-sectionally
U-shaped guide rails 50, in which there run conveying chains 52,
indicated in FIG. 9. For the driving of the conveying chains 52
there is built onto the upper end of the elevating member 20 a
driving unit 54, which is represented in FIG. 13. This driving unit
54 is equipped with electric motors 56 and corresponding chain
wheels 58, over which the conveying chains 52 are led. The
conveying chains 52 run within the guide rails 50 downward to a
deflecting unit 60, shown in FIG. 14, which terminates the
elevating member 20 in the downward direction. This deflecting unit
60 is equipped with deflecting wheels 74 for the conveying chains
52 and with tensioning elements 72.
Between the penultimate shaft element 42 in the downward direction
and the deflecting unit 60 there is a lowermost shaft element 42',
shown in FIG. 12, which corresponds in its basic construction to
the shaft elements 42. The difference is that a free passage for
the bearer plates 36 is no longer possible here; rather, during the
elevating movement, the latter are deposited downward within the
lowermost shaft element 42' onto rails 76, which are located in
front of the longitudinal bearers 48'. During the upward movement
within the elevating member 20--or during the downward movement in
the opposite elevating member 20'--the bearer plates 36, and with
the latter possibly the objects 14 lying thereupon, rest on two
mutually opposite longitudinal rails 62, which are fastened at
uniform intervals on the chains 52 (FIG. 9). In the lowermost shaft
element 42', the chains 52 and the longitudinal rails 62 pass
through intermediate spaces 78, which are left free between the
longitudinal members 48' and the rails 76.
In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 6, each
elevating member 20 or 20' has in front of it a preparation place
22 and 22', respectively, which has a lifting platform 64. The
lifting platform 64 can be adjusted in the vertical direction by
means of lifting elements 66, for example hydraulic cylinders or
spindles.
In the case of the multistory car park system represented in FIGS.
3 and 6, the lowermost level of the storage block 10 serves
furthermore for the return of the bearer plates 36 or as a buffer
store for empty bearer plates. For this purpose, the lowermost
level of the storage block 10 comprises basic elements 24", which
according to FIG. 7 are lower than the basic elements 24 and
correspond in their height to the deflecting units 60. Each basic
element 24" receives a displacing module 32" which has to be
equipped only with driving units 34 for the displacement in the X
direction, but not with driving units 34' for the displacement in
the Y direction. The same applies correspondingly to the deflecting
unit 60, which likewise has in its bottom region such a displacing
module 32".
In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 6 for a multistory car
park, a motor vehicle to be parked drives in the X direction onto
the lifting platform 64 of the preparation place 22, which lies in
the drive-in area E in front of the elevating member 20. On the
lifting platform 64 there lies an empty bearer plate 36. Driving in
is possible in any desired line (in the Y direction). On the
lifting platform 64 there is fitted a driving unit 34, which
subsequently pushes the bearer plate 36, with the vehicle standing
thereupon, in the X direction onto the deflecting unit 60, where
the bearer plate 36 is taken up by the longitudinal rails 62 of the
conveying chains 52 and conveyed upward in the Z direction. The
elevating member 20 stops on a level on which a free storage place
12 is available, so that on this level the bearer plate 36 can be
displaced by grippers (not shown) in the basic elements 24, which
follow the elevating member 20 in the X direction, and subsequently
can be displaced by the driving units 34 in the longitudinal
direction and, if appropriate, by the driving units 34' in the
transverse direction.
The removal of the vehicle then takes place in a corresponding way
by means of the elevating member 20' and the preparation place 22'
on the opposite end face of the storage block 10. There too,
corresponding grippers for transfer into the elevating member 20'
are provided in the last basic elements 24 lying in front of the
elevating member 20'.
As soon as the vehicle has driven out again, the empty bearer plate
36 is lowered within the preparation place 22' by the lifting
platform 64 and returned by means of the driving units 34 within
the basic elements 24" of the lowermost level in the longitudinal
direction back to the drive-in area E. Here, the empty bearer plate
36 arrives in the preparation place 22, the lifting platform 64 of
which is lowered. As soon as the bearer plate 36 is lying on the
lifting platform 64, the latter is raised to highway level, so that
a further vehicle can drive in.
The said movements are controlled by a computer, which guides the
bearer plates 36, with the vehicles standing thereupon, or the
empty bearer plates 36 to the storage places 12 most favorably
situated in each case. After driving in, the user receives a
correspondingly coded card, so that he receives his vehicle again
for driving out in the shortest time. In case the user loses the
authorization card, in the entrance area there is provided a video
camera, which records the license number of the vehicle and passes
it on to a computer. Consequently, in an emergency, the user can
also enter the license number at an input unit in order that the
vehicle can be re-detected and retrieved via the computer. Other
possibilities of identification according to the prior art may
alternatively be used.
As already mentioned, the lowermost level of the storage block 10
or any desired intermediate level may also be utilized as a store
or buffer for empty bearer plates 36. In this case, in each basic
element 24" there are fitted a plurality of flat bottom frames 26',
shown in FIG. 7, which correspond in their dimensions to the bottom
frames 26 of the basic elements 24. Within each bottom frame 26'
there is a displacing module 32" with two driving units 34 for the
displacement in the X direction. Since a plurality of these flat
bottom frames 26' are arranged above one another within the basic
elements 24", the empty bearer plates 36 can be stacked within the
respective level and retrieved when need be.
It goes without saying that it is also possible to fit within the
bottom frames 26' displacing modules 32 which have in addition to
the driving units 34 for the X direction also driving units 34' for
the Y direction.
FIG. 4 shows a variant of a multistory car park designed according
to the invention, in which the drive-in E and the drive-out A are
not provided on the end faces in front of the elevating members 20
and 20' installed there, but on one longitudinal side within the
storage block 10 on the lower level of the latter. No preparation
places with lifting platform are required in this region, but there
are fitted fixed bottom frames 26' (FIG. 7) with displacing modules
32, which bring the vehicles to the elevating members 20 or fetch
them from the elevating members 20'. The drive-in and drive-out
area is covered by highway plates 68, which are suspended a small
distance above the bottom frames 26' and have partially sloping
ramps 70 for transfer onto the bearer plates 36. The space between
the drive-in E and the drive-out A may be used for a wide variety
of purposes, for example for a pay desk area, the control, a pallet
stacking means or vending stores. Since this area is not supported
underneath, at the upper end of the storage block 10 there are
fitted longitudinal booms 72, which are indicated in FIGS. 4 and 7
and absorb the vertical forces.
The variant of FIG. 5 differs from the exemplary embodiment of FIG.
4 in that the drive-in and drive-out area does not lie on the lower
level, but on an intermediate level, while the levels lying
underneath are underground.
FIG. 15 shows the main directions of movement of the vehicles in
the case of a multistory car park, in which, according to FIG. 5,
the drive-in and drive-out area is provided on an intermediate
level.
FIG. 16 shows the possibility of providing a buffer place 174 for
bearer plates 36 on any intermediate level of the storage block
10.
A variant of the multistory car park of FIG. 3 is indicated in FIG.
17. This variant serves for controlling the elevating members 20,
20' according to needs, in order to allow for peak operation. It
was explained with reference to the example of FIG. 3 that the
elevating members 20 operate only upward (drive-in area) and the
elevating members 20' operate only downward (drive-out area). In
the case of the example of FIG. 17, if need be the directions of
movement may be reversed, so that also at least some of the
elevating members 20' in the drive-out area are controlled upward,
at least at certain times, in order to achieve an increased parking
frequency in peak operation. A partial region of the multistory car
park--here the rearmost lines, denoted by RES--can be operated in
the standard mode, as was explained in the case of FIG. 3, in order
to reserve this area for long-stay parkers.
FIG. 18 shows a further possibility of variation, in which the
drive-out frequency at peak times is increased.
In FIG. 19 there is indicated a variant of FIG. 5, in which the
elevating members 20, 20' are arranged offset with respect to each
other on both end faces of the storage block 10 and alternatingly
convey upward and downward. Consequently, a strict separation of
the drive-in area from the drive-out area is established. The free
space between the elevating members 20, 20' can be used for further
storage places 12 or places in the store.
Apart from the cuboidal design, any other geometry can be realized,
depending on the conditions of the site and the requirements
relating to use.
FIGS. 20 to 30 show a variant of the invention in the form of a
container store. Here too, the storage block 10 is terminated at
its two end faces (entrance area E and outward-transfer side A) by
elevating members 120 and 120', respectively. The lowermost level
of the storage block 10 serves as a passage for trucks which
deliver the containers 14 and fetch them. The passing through of
the trucks is controlled by a system equipped with traffic lights
108. If the container store is to be operated without
running-around tracks, just with chassis or AGVs (automatic guided
vehicles=driverless transport system), for example a chassis enters
any desired shaft with the traffic light switched to green and
picks up a container 14, whereupon the driver or the control is
notified of the destination by radio data transmission. Upon
reaching the destination, the specification of the destination is
acknowledged, and the driver or the AGV fetches the next container
in the same way.
As FIGS. 20 and 21 show in particular, the container store is
designed as a steel construction with vertical supports 130, which
are interconnected by running rails 110, running in the X
direction, and by guide rails 112, running in the Y direction.
FIG. 30 shows the fastening of the cross-sectionally C-shaped
running rails 110 by means of gusset plates 114 on a support 130;
the guide rails 112 running transversely thereto likewise have a
C-shaped cross section and are supported on the running rails 110.
For further reinforcement of the system, diagonal braces and
trussed frames may be provided, which are not shown any further for
reasons of simplicity.
For displacing the containers 14 in the X direction, the driving
units 134 are designed as so-called spreaders, which are
represented in FIGS. 22 and 26. Each spreader 134 has a bearing
frame 116 with two mutually parallel longitudinal struts 118' and
four transverse struts 118, connecting the latter. The two outer
transverse struts 118 lie in the region of the short outer sides of
the rectangular bearing frame 116, while the two central transverse
struts 118 are fastened a small distance apart in the central
region of the bearing frame 116.
For moving the bearing frame 116 in the X direction, on the outer
side of the longitudinal struts 118' there are mounted running
rollers 122, which can be driven, at least partially, by
hydraulically or electrically acting motors (not shown). The
running rollers 122 engage in the C-shaped running rails 110.
Each transverse strut 118 bears a cross member 124, which can be
lowered and raised by means of double-acting hydraulic cylinders
128.
In FIGS. 24 and 25 it can be clearly seen that each cross member
124 has at each of its two ends a gripping element 132 (twist
lock), which is designed as a locking bolt 136 which can be turned
through 90.degree.. For this purpose, the locking bolt is fixedly
connected to a swivel arm 138, which is mounted in a recess 140 at
the end of the cross member 124 and is connected these by means of
a ball joint 148 to an actuating cylinder 144. From the underside
of the cross member 124 there protrudes downward, next to the
respective locking bolt 136, a securing pin 146, which is movable
in height and, when sitting on the upper side of the container 14
or the corner region of the latter (corner casting), releases the
turning movement of the locking bolt 136 into its locking
position.
For grasping a container 14, the two cross members 124 required for
this are lowered by means of the hydraulic cylinders 128, so that,
in the position shown in FIG. 24, the locking bolts 136 can engage
in corresponding receiving openings on the upper side of the
container 14 to be raised. When the locking bolts 136 have been
lowered faultlessly into the receiving openings, the assigned
securing pin 146 is in its depressed position, in which it releases
the turning movement of the locking bolt 136 from the position of
FIG. 24 into the engaging position of FIG. 25. There is then
established a bayonet-like connection between the locking bolts 136
and the container 14 to be raised, so that subsequently the two
cross members 124 can be raised again. Thereafter, the driving unit
134 (spreader) can be moved by means of the running rollers 122 in
the running rails 110 to the desired storage place 12.
Within the storage block 10 there is respectively provided on each
level a driving unit 134 per line (X direction), which serves for
transporting the containers 14 within the line up to in front of
the elevating members 120, 120'. The elevating members 120 and 120'
also have in each case a driving unit 134 designed in the same way.
In this case, each elevating member 120 has a vertically movable
lifting unit 150, which is represented in FIG. 23. The lifting unit
150 comprises a rectangular frame 152, which comprises two mutually
parallel running rails 110' which are interconnected by transverse
bearers 154. The frame 152 is suspended on chains 52', which can be
moved vertically by means of a driving unit 54; the driving unit 54
is explained with reference to the example of FIGS. 6 and 7.
Other devices, for example spindles, or hydraulic devices, may also
be provided for the height adjustment of the lifting unit 150.
FIG. 26 shows in the upper part a driving unit 134 (spreader)
within a lifting unit 150. In order to ensure during moving in and
out of the respective "elevating spreader" for the take-over or
transfer of a container 14 a transition at the same height from the
running rails 110 within the storage block 10 to the running rails
110' of the lifting unit 150, the latter has at the end of the
running rails 110' locking pins 156; these ensure a smooth
transition of the elevating spreader between the elevating member
120 and the first or last storage place in the storage block
10.
As in the ease of the exemplary embodiments explained before, each
elevating shaft 142 also has at the corners four guide columns 46',
in which there engage guide rollers 158, which are provided at the
four corners of the lifting unit 150.
FIG. 29 shows that, on account of the explained distribution of the
cross members 124, each spreader is capable of receiving either one
long container 14 by its two outer cross members 124 or two short
containers 14 by all four cross members 124. It goes without saying
that it is also possible to take up just one short container 14 or,
by other cross member arrangements, to accept containers of
intermediate dimensions or oversized dimensions.
For displacing the containers 14 in the Y direction by in each case
one storage place 12 within each row, there are provided
rectangular bottom frames 126, which have on their narrow sides
running rollers (not shown), which roll in the Y direction in the
guide rails 112. In the central region, each bottom frame 126 has
additional support rollers 160, which run on supporting rails 162.
On each bottom frame 126 there lie bearer plates 36 with guide
corners 164 and sprung guide bolts 164', fastened in the central
region. The distance between the guide corners 164 and the guide
bolts 164' is dimensioned in such a way that small and large
containers 14 are held securely on the bottom frame 126.
FIG. 28 shows that each bottom frame 126 is assigned a driving unit
134', which may for example be an electric motor. The driving unit
134' is fastened on the outer side of one of the two running rails
110 for the bottom frame 126 and has a continuous drive shaft 166,
the two ends of which are connected by means of a bevel gear 168
each to a drive spindle 170. The two drive spindles 170 of each
bottom frame 126 are in engagement with a spindle nut 172, which
according to FIG. 27 are fitted on one longitudinal side of the
bottom frame 126.
As FIG. 28 shows, the two drive spindles 170 of a bottom frame 126
are arranged offset with respect to the drive spindles 170 of the
neighboring bottom frame 126 in order to avoid hindrance of each
other.
The number of bottom frames 126 in each row of each level of the
storage block 10 corresponds to the number of storage places
present there, reduced by 1. Thus, it is possible to displace the
respectively desired number of bottom frames 126 together by one
storage place, as explained by way of example with reference to the
example of FIG. 2.
FIG. 31 shows a possibility for application of the storage block 10
for receiving containers in a port installation. The construction
of the storage block 10 is analogous to the examples already
described, in particular of FIGS. 1, 2 and 20 to 30.
The elevating members 20 for storage (E) of the containers 14 are
combined on one end face of the storage block 10, while the
elevating members 20' for outward transfer are combined on the
opposite end face (A).
The storage block 10 is constructed on the pier 80 of a port, on
which gentry cranes 82 are able to move. Each gentry crane 82 has a
container bridge 84 for unloading or loading a ship 86 with
containers 14. Underneath the container bridge 84 of each gantry
crane 82 there is provided on the latter a buffer level 88, on
which there is space for a certain number of containers 14. The
buffer levels 88 of all the gantry cranes 82 are interconnected by
means of a conveying track 90, which may be designed for example as
belt conveyors or chain conveyors. On the longitudinal side of the
conveying track 90 facing away from the ship 86 there adjoin two
running-around tracks 92 and 92', which convey at right angles to
said conveying track and which guide the containers 14 to directly
in front of the storage level E of the elevating members 20 or
receive the containers 14 surrendered from the storage block 10
behind the elevators 20' and bring them to the conveying track
90.
The two running-around tracks 92 and 92' may be interconnected by
buffer tracks 94 running on the longitudinal sides of the storage
block 10.
Under the two running-around tracks 92 and 92' there are provided
in front of the elevating members 20 and behind the elevating
members 20' two further running-around tracks 96, 96', which serve
for railroad loading of the containers 14. The corresponding track
systems 98 are laid on the longitudinal side of the storage block
10 facing away from the pier 80. There, the two running-around
tracks 96 and 96' are interconnected by a conveying track 90'
corresponding to the conveying track 90 on the pier side,
corresponding crane bridges 100 being provided for railroad
loading.
Under the two running-around tracks 96 and 96', which are provided
at the end faces and may likewise be interconnected by means of
buffer tracks 94' running on the longitudinal sides, there are
provided at the two end faces of the storage block 10 two
displacing tracks 102, 102', which serve for the purpose of
displacing the containers 14 in the Y direction.
In FIG. 20 it can also be seen that a turning platform 104 for
turning the individual containers 14 through 180.degree. is
integrated into the running-around track 92.
The removal of the individual containers 14 from the storage block
10 takes place in the way already explained, the container picked
up in each case being deposited within the storage block 10 at the
last place in front of the elevating member 20'. The driving unit
of the elevating member 20' picks up the container 14 and places it
onto the running-around track 92' for further transport onto the
ship 86, onto the running-around track 96' for further transport
for railroad loading or onto the displacing track 102', from which
the containers 14 are offloaded onto trucks.
The storing of the containers on the E side takes place in the
reverse way. Here, the trucks with the delivered containers drive
underneath the elevating members 20, where the containers are
picked up. After unloading, the truck drives on the lowermost level
of the storage block 10, which serves as a passage, until
underneath the elevating members 20' on the A side, where it can
pick up a surrendered container, which if necessary has been
positioned beforehand on the displacing track 102' in the Y
direction over the required passage.
The running-around tracks 92, 92' and 96, 96' for railroad loading
and ship loading serve at the same time as buffers in the case of a
possible backlog and as possible means for alternate storing in the
case of technical faults. It is also possible to carry out the ship
loading or railroad loading from the storage block system not by
means of running-around tracks, but as before by means of AGVs or
chassis.
The buffer levels 88 of the gantry cranes 82 serve as a stowing
space for the containers 14 during unloading of the ship 86 and
during loading. Since they are moved by the gantry cranes 82 and
lie at the height of the conveying track 90, further transport
without any displacement in height onto the running-around track 92
or from the running-around tracks 92' is possible.
Containers 14 with oversized dimensions, hazardous materials or
low-temperature products which are not to be accepted in the
storage block 10 can be taken off the conveying track 90 or set
down on it by means of conveying bridges 106 (transtrainers) and
thus integrated in the overall flow.
The invention combines the following advantages of known rack
storage systems:
direct access to each individual storage place in a way
corresponding to a high-bay warehouse
fast throughput as in the case of a dynamic rack system
low space requirement as in the case of a sliding rack system.
* * * * *